June 30, 2023 – Namibia News Digest

June 30, 2023

Verifone Launches New Brand

Verifone unveils new brand and enterprise website to exemplify its class-leading payments platform offering

Verifone new logo

New Verifone brand identity

CORAL SPRINGS, Fla., June 30, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Today, Verifone rebrands to highlight its innovative payment solutions by introducing a new logo, brand identity and global website to align with an updated vision. Verifone is now the “Payments Architect and Commerce Expert” partner for all businesses everywhere. Verifone’s robust product and services portfolio delivers on that promise as it spans digital payment solutions, secure payment devices, cloud-hosted Payments as a Service, merchant acquiring, point of sale technology, advanced business insights through data science, managed services practices, and more.

After rebuilding its entire offering and company culture under new leadership, the refreshed brand identity matches the innovation and passion of a new Verifone. Consumer recognition and trust in the Verifone name needed to be preserved while simultaneously highlighting Verifone’s heightened digital focus, future-first approach and leading position in the marketplace. The new iconography conveys the connected, modular and evolving nature of payments in modern life, and it shows the architectural role Verifone plays in payments and commerce. All of this comes together on Verifone’s new global website where consumers, merchants and other stakeholders are introduced to a new, more user-friendly Verifone experience. The new brand is extensible across business units and around the world.

Verifone T650m Mobile Payment Device

With half a trillion dollars in transactions traversing its cloud via payment devices or Verifone-powered websites and apps, Verifone truly enables global commerce. Verifone stands out in the payments space where most businesses still piece together fragmented offerings from multiple providers to address complex customer needs. Verifone is the single provider with a comprehensive, flexible toolset that streamlines and reduces costs for any enterprise to accept payments.

“The world of commerce evolves constantly, and it is this dynamic environment that we’ve simplified and continue to revolutionize. Verifone started in the Fintech space over four decades ago, rapidly evolving our service offerings to meet the needs of all large and small businesses,” said Mike Pulli, Verifone CEO. “We are the critical commerce partner for businesses worldwide, offering solutions with a futureproof architecture. Our new brand matches our digital-first thinking, employee-focused mindset, and accelerated innovation. Our customers, and their customers, rely on Verifone every day.”

Verifone has focused intensely on new, innovative payment capabilities and features in recent years, significantly expanding the solution stack and enabling new markets. The company’s commerce expertise means its solutions can easily be adapted across nearly every vertical. From complex, global, omni-commerce retailers to a local vendor at a farmers’ market, Verifone futureproofs payment ecosystems and tech stacks.

Verifone M440 Multilane Payment Device

To experience Verifone’s new identity, watch the introduction video https://vimeo.com/verifone/newbrandlaunch and visit the new corporate global website at https://www.verifone.com/en/global. New country-specific websites will go live in the coming weeks and months.

About Verifone

Verifone is the payments architect shaping ecosystems for online and in-person commerce experiences, including everything businesses need – from secure payment devices to eCommerce tools, acquiring services, advanced business insights, and much more. As a global FinTech leader, Verifone powers omni-commerce growth for companies in over 165 countries and is trusted by the world’s best-known brands, small businesses, and major financial institutions. The Verifone platform is built on a four-decade history of innovation and uncompromised security, annually managing more than 12B transactions worth over $500B on physical and digital channels.

Verifone Media Contact:
Email: Press@Verifone.com

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e7b9f429-f5f1-4860-b995-5062fdf2a9ef

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/fd30d469-60f2-47dd-b38d-3ad8691781c7

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/41c98491-40b2-4ec3-ac59-94d7cacf78cd

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 8867578

June 30, 2023

St Kitts and Nevis announces extension to Citizenship by Investment Programme Sustainable Growth Fund Limited Time Offer due to unprecedented demand

Basseterre, June 29, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — International investors have been clamouring to take advantage of one of the best deals in the investment migration industry this year – St Kitts and Nevis’ Sustainable Growth Fund (SGF) Limited Time Offer (LTO) which allows investors to gain approval for alternative citizenship in the country in as little as 60 days for a reduced fee.

In December 2022, the St Kitts and Nevis Head of the Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU), Michael Martin, announced the enactment of the updated St Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment Regulations 2023, which included the introduction of the LTO for the SGF investment option effective 1 January 2023 – 30 June 2023.

On 29 June 2023, Michael Martin made the following comment regarding the LTO:

“We have received an overwhelming response and demand for our Sustainable Growth Fund investment option through the Limited Time Offer and felt that we had to extend the offering for another seven months until 31 January 2024. International investors continue to see the value of the world’s first and finest Citizenship by Investment Programme and this proves it”.

The SGF remains the quickest and easiest route to alternative citizenship in St Kitts and Nevis and now until 31 January 2024, a main applicant can acquire alternative citizenship by contributing only US$125,000 to the SGF and receiving approval in principle within 60 days of acknowledgement by the CIU of submission of their application.

Under the LTO, the minimum SGF contributions are as follows:

Single applicant – US$ 125,000
Main applicant and a spouse – US$150,000

Main applicant and up to three dependants – US$170,000
Each additional dependant under 18 – US$10,000
Each additional dependant over 18 – US$25,000

Revenue from the SGF has facilitated economic development and social upliftment in the country. The SGF is used to provide financial support to educational institutions, and medical facilities, as well as support infrastructural development, increase tourism, preserve local culture and heritage and support sustainable growth initiatives in the twin-island nation.

Discerning investors are seeing the benefits of being part of St Kitts and Nevis’ success story. Following upgrades to the CBI Regulations, the country now offers one of the most secure and best-regulated investment migration offerings in the world.

This means that international investors looking to hedge their bets in a stable and growing economy should look no further than St Kitts and Nevis.

This extension is a fantastic opportunity for investors to obtain citizenship through the LTO. This is a final extension and from 1 February 2024, the minimum SGF contribution will increase to the amounts prior to the LTO period.

The country is making sure that it has only the best to offer international entrepreneurs and families who have realised that global powerhouses are no longer illustrious investment options due to security risks. Investors want to ensure that they can safeguard their families and wealth in a global economy that has been offering nothing but uncertainty since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

Smaller governments such as that of St Kitts and Nevis have found ways, through CBI, to protect themselves from global shocks, offer favourable business policies aimed at growing corporations in international markets and, by using international funds channelled to the SGF, can diversify and grow their economy to meet global needs.

St Kitts and Nevis continues to create a name for itself as a financial nexus in the Caribbean with an attractive CBI programme underpinned by a sound legal framework and robust multi-layered due diligence.

For nearly 40 years, St Kitts and Nevis has been the pioneer of the global investor immigration industry and those who recognise this are taking advantage of the LTO.

Chantal Mabanga
Government of St. Kitts and Nevis
+44 (0) 207 318 4343
chantal.mabanga@csglobalpartners.com

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 8867177

June 30, 2023

CSOs oppose IPMAN over alleged plan to increase petrol price

A coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) on Friday said it would resist planned increase in the price of petroleum being allegedly worked on by the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN).

The CSOs made their position known in a statement jointly signed by the Convener, Dr Basil Musa; and Co-Convener, Malam Haruna Maigida, in Abuja on behalf of others.

Others who signed the statement were officials of Oil and Gas Transparency and Advocacy Group, Civil Society Coalition for Economic Development (CED), Centre for Citizens Rights, Centre for Good Governance Advocacy and Action against Corruption in Nigeria, among several others.

The CSOs said that information reaching them was to the effect that IPMAN was planning to increase petrol price to N700 per litre, a move which they vowed to resist by picketing IPMAN members’ filling stations across the country.

They accused the IPMAN of running a parallel government and inflicting pains on ordinary Nigerians by their unilateral adjustment of price of petroleum.

They described the planned increment as unacceptable and called on the Federal Government to stop IPMAN from its alleged profiteering at the expense of ordinary Nigerians.

The CSOs said the move was an economic sabotage, coming at a time Nigerians are still trying to come out of the “price shock”, occasioned by the increment on May 29.

They said that Nigerians were already passing through difficult times over the recently adjusted fuel pump price with no palliatives measures yet in place.

They vowed to mobilise their members and other stakeholders across the 36 states of the federation to embark on a protest, adding that the protest would target at shutting down filling stations nationwide.

They added that Nigerians could not afford to be railroaded by IPMAN, in alleged contraction of the position of Federal Government on petroleum price.

“As a Coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), we are monitoring events and the proposed fuel pump hike to N700 per litre by IPMAN and we say it is unacceptable.

“If government does not caution IPMAN, we see it as a deliberate collusion to drive Nigerians into unmitigated difficulties.

“As CSOs, we will not sit and watch that happen. We will mobilise Nigerians into a street protest and that should be taken from us.

“We watched the removal of fuel subsidy regime by President Bola Tinubu in his inaugural address on May 29 and we take the dare consequences as part of sacrifice, awaiting when government would have settled to come up with ameliorative measures for the citizens.

“But for IPMAN to adjust fuel pump price will stoke protests because it is not in the interest of Nigerians,’ they said.

They said if IPMAN achieved the proposed increase, it would amount to over 451 per cent above what Tinubu Administration met in office, thereby raising the fear of hyper-inflation on cost of goods and services.

They added that “IPMAN was largely behind the mystery litres of petrol consumption that suddenly dropped from 66 million per day to 40 million, after fuel subsidy was removed.

“We advise the marketers association to brace up for a change as sharp practices in the downstream sector can no longer be condoned.”

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

June 30, 2023

Eid-al-Adha: Make-up artists, hairdressers make brisk business

Make-up artists and hairdressers in Mararaba are making brisk business as Muslims in their numbers troop to saloons for different services for the Eid-al-Adha celebrations.

A News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) correspondent who visited some make-up and hair saloons on Thursday observed that a lot of women brought their children and family members for make-up in preparation for the Eid evening outings.

Miss Nana Khadija, a hairstylist said she was happy with the turnout of customers in her shop which translated to more money for her.

According to her, the season did not affect what she charged for her services, except if she is operating on generator.

She said: “In spite of the rush, my prices remained the same to encourage more people.

“Today, I have over 50 clients and the day is till young. I hope to have more before the night fall.”

Hajiya Muniratu Abdul-Rahman, a customer said she ordered for home service from her hairstylist since she would have to join the queue at the salon.

“I need to look good for the celebration, I was busy with cooking yesterday and did not have time for myself, so today I asked my stylist for home service which will cost me a little extra.

“I usually pay N4,000 for the style I want with the home service, I will pay an extra cost of N2,000,” she said.

Mr Abubakar Abdelah, a henna artist stated that the business was booming, adding that he recorded a lot of customers.

“As you know, henna is in high demand during this period of Sallah. The price of henna differs according to colour.

“For the red, we sell for N4,000 and for the black we sell N8000,” he said.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

June 30, 2023

2023 Hajj: FCT loses female pilgrim in Makkah

A female pilgrim from the FCT, Hajiya Amina Yunusa, passed away in Makkah, Saudi Arabia.

Malam Abubakar Evuti, the Director of the Federal Capital Territory Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, confirmed the sad incident to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Friday in Makkah.

” With total submission to Allah, the FCT Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board MPWB hereby announce the death of Yunusa.

” May Allah forgive her short comings, accept her act of worship and grant her Aljannat.”

The director, who expressed his heartfelt condolences to the immediate family of the deceased, advised them to accept her death as the will of Allah.

” We should take solace in the fact that she passed on in the holy city of Makkah after performing Hajj Mabroor(acceptable hajj), which has the reward of Aljannatul Firdausi, as related in the Hadith of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

June 30, 2023

Former NUC boss hands over office as Tinubu approves resignation

The outgone Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission (NUC), Prof. Abubakar Rasheed, has formerly handed over to the most senior officer in the commission, Mr Chris Maiyaki.

At the handover ceremony in Abuja on Friday, Rasheed said he had secured necessary approval from President Bola Tinubu to step down with effect from June 30, 2023.

He said that the new executive secretary would be steering the affairs of the commission in acting capacity until the appointment of a substantive executive secretary by the president.

‘Due to my desire to spend my active years in the classroom, I decided to write the president through the Federal Ministry of Education three years before my tenure expired.

”Upon receiving the approval, I wrote to the Vice Chancellor of Bayero University, Kano to return to classroom with effect from July 1, 2023.

”I want to thank everyone for your faith and confidence in NUC, I appreciate you for supporting the management of NUC because I am lucky to have worked with confident staff,” he said.

Rasheed appreciated the counter-based unions, especially the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the support received from sister agencies throughout his tenure.

When asked of any case of corruption after his resignation, he said he resigned voluntarily from office and not because of fear of alleged corruption.

”As far as I know, I voluntarily resigned from office. I actually resigned two years ago after the expiration of my first tenure in office because I did not want to come back.

”I had already gone to the classroom before my reappointment. This is because I don’t want to retire anywhere outside the classroom and have run the organisation to the best of my abilities,” he said.

Responding, the Acting Executive Secretary, Chris Maiyaki, commended the outgone boss, saying his achievements were unprecedented for all to see.

Maiyaki promised to do his best to consolidate the good work of Rasheed while counting on the support of staff and management of the commission and by extension, the academic community of the country.

”We will sustain that momentum as we believe the future will throw up challenges in digital atmosphere we are. We will continue the reinvention of pivoted role of university education,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Rasheed was first appointed on Aug. 1, 2016 for an initial tenure of five years.

He was later reappointed on Aug. 1, 2021 and was expected to be in this position till July 31, 2026 until his formal resignation.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

June 30, 2023

Eye care: NGO donates equipment to JUTH

A non-Governmental Organisation, Sightsavers Nigeria, has donated some modern equipment worth millions of naira to the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) to improve eye care services.

Presenting the equipment on Friday in Jos, Dr Sunday Isiyaku, Country Director of the organisation, said the gesture was aimed at ensuring quality service delivery.

Isiyaku explained that the donation was in line with the vision of his organisation to help address eye- related problems among the people of the state.

”Today, we have come to support and present some modern equipment to this hospital in order to promote quality eye care services in Plateau and environs.

”These equipment will enable the Ophthalmology department of this hospital to attend to referrals from smaller hospitals.

”It will ensure the provision of quality treatment for complex eye disorders such as glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy.

”Some of these items are an iCare tonometer for glaucoma diagnosis, phacoemulsification machine for cataract surgery, fundus camera for diabetic retinopathy, among others,”he said.

Receiving the items, Dr Pokop Bupwatda, the Chief Medical Director of JUTH, thanked the organisation for the gesture, adding that it would help improve service delivery.

He said that the equipment would make eye care services available and affordable to all.

The medical director promised that the hospital would put the equipment into good use for the benefit of those in need eye care.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

June 30, 2023

Government pledges to allocate 910,000 land plots for self-construction

At least 910, 000 plots of land will be made available across the country by 2027, the minister of Public Works, Urban Planning and Housing, Carlos Alberto dos Santos said on Thursday.

Delivering his speech at the mobility project award ceremony for the provinces of Zaire, Bengo and Luanda, held in Nzeto, northern Zaire province, the minister said the move is part of the self-construction programme aimed to reduce the housing deficit estimated at 2.2 million of units.

He said the programme will benefit many citizens, mainly young people.

The minister recalled the ongoing construction project of 3,000 homes for the province of Zaire, including 1,500 for the municipality of Mbanza Kongo and the same number for Soyo.

The mobility project in the provinces of Zaire, Bengo and Luanda is part of the rehabilitation of 93 kilometers of road in these three regions of the country.

The overall package of this project, estimated at 127.2 million euros, includes revamp of Cacuaco/Kifangondo (Luanda) section, in charge of construction firm Mota-Engil Angola, SA and supervised by DAR Angola

Source: Angola Press News Agency (APNA)

June 30, 2023

Environment minister concerned about flora destruction

Angolan minister of Environment Ana Paulo de Carvalho Thursday in Soyo, northern Zaire province, discouraged the destruction of flora and biodiversity, calling for strict Law enforcement on environmental crimes in the country.

The minister made the appeal at the end of a mangrove planting campaign, as part of the closing programme of activities ahead of the World Environment Day, held under the slogan: “All Hands Together to Save Our Planet.

Ana Paula de Carvalho expressed concern over the extinction of some forest species in the municipality of Nzeto (Zaire) and other regions of the country’s coast, as result of human interference.

She also said that the rigorous application of the law on environmental crimes would reduce offences against the environment throughout the country.

The official explained, on the other hand, that in a first phase, the Ministry has opted for educational campaigns to raise awareness among individual and collective entities.

She recalled that in addition to help and renew oxygen, mangroves and other forest species also protect the marine ecosystem, stressing the need for their preservation to avoid the emigration of some animal species.

Ana Paula de Carvalho said that many companies and individuals ignore the environment, despite the awareness and education actions the Provincial Governments and associations carry out in the communities.

The minister’s 48-hour visiting agenda to Soyo, northern Zaire province, includes to launch “Educar para Reciclar” programme and a lecture on the “national strategy and action plan on biodiversity

Source: Angola Press News Agency (APNA)

June 30, 2023

Protocol on operation of “Tata Uhayele” project signed

A partnership protocol for implementing the Tata Uhayele project was signed Friday in Lobito, coastal Benguela province.

Signed the protocol were the Ngana Zenza Foundation for Community Development (FDC), the Ministry of Transport and the Benguela Railway (CFB).

The objective of Tata Uhayele (Take care of your health, in the Umbundu national language) is to provide health care to vulnerable communities along the Lobito Corridor, covering the provinces of Benguela, Huambo, Bié and Moxico.

Medical assistance will be carried out in two clinical carriages operated by the CFB and ensured by specialised personnel.

Addressing the ceremony, Angola’s First Lady, Ana Dias Lourenço, expressed her appreciation and gratitude for the participation of the partners.

She added that Tata Uhayele is a train of hope with which it intends to contribute sustainably in improving social assistance in the country.

In order to achieve this goal, Ana Dias Lourenço defended cooperation, adding that the success entails everyone’s involvement and participation.

Ana Dias Lourenço appealed to private companies specialised in the health sector to join this initiative, adding that “their support is crucial and will demonstrate the power of collaboration and partnerships to achieve significant results”.

“As founder and President of FDC, I am committed to promote initiatives such as the Tata Uhayele project and to work to ensure that everyone has access to the health care they need”, she emphasised.

In his speech, the minister of Transport, Ricardo de Abreu, said that the health is a good that, being universal, does not always reach those who need it.

“What we are witnessing today is a small step, of the much that we have to do, but which, if well implemented, will contribute to increasing the life expectancy of local populations and for their quality and development to be achieved objectives.” , he stated.

The mobile clinics have a team of thirteen professionals – two electrical doctors, an ophthalmologist, a general practitioner, two laboratory technicians.

While for nursing, pediatrics, ophthalmology, sterilisation, pharmacy and reception, there is a technician for each area.

Source: Angola Press News Agency (APNA)

June 30, 2023

President urges for responsible use of social media

Angolan head of State João Lourenço Friday in Luanda called for responsible use of the Social Media, ahead of celebration of this tool on Friday (June 30).

João Lourenço reiterated the appeal to take advantage of Social Media for academic, cultural and professional advancement, as well as promoting business.

In personal Facebook account, the Statesman encouraged the users of Social Media to take advantage of this tool to connect with the world of science and innovation.

João Lourenço discouraged the use of these virtual public spaces with negative things, propagation of lies, intrigue, intolerance and hatred.

The date for celebration of the World Social Media Day was created by the website Mashable in 2010 as a way to recognise the digital revolution that has made media a social environment.

The day is celebrated by organising informal gatherings of people from around the world by technological means or in person.

Some events are streamed live online and are open to all, to make the date truly social

Source: Angola Press News Agency (APNA)

June 30, 2023

National Assembly speaker highlights Parliamentary system in democracy

National Assembly Speaker Carolina Cerqueira highlighted Friday in Lisbon, Portugal, the role of Parliamentary system in democracy, described as the voice of voters, diversity, dialogue and concert.

Carolina Cerqueira was addressing a celebration session of the International Day of Parliamentarianism, which took place at the headquarters of the Portuguese Parliament.

The Speaker stressed that they are voices of political representation in diversity, in the political debate that generate perspectives for new ideas, better approaches, dialogue and of conciliation, all these ingredients contributing to the solidity of parliamentary democracy.

“It is a noise, sometimes deafening, but always necessary, so that everything changes in a better direction, especially people’s lives, the process of development of societies and countries”, stressed the leader of the Angolan Parliament.

According to Carolina Cerqueira, there is an urgent need for everyone to work on their translation, in order to have an understandable version, which must be at the same time faithful, but fluid, integrated, more formal, genuine, publishable and, above all, scrutinous.

On the other hand, she considers it unfair not to point out the evolution of the form of the Government that thinks of people, women and men dedicated to keeping democracy alive, with acts and words spoken in plenary, listening to them, debating them and immortalizing them in ideas and later in relevant actions.

“Gender equality is implemented with economic and social development, along with a new culture of full respect for the human person and for their full personal and professional fulfillment”, she said.

Carolina Cerqueira took the opportunity to reinforce the invitation for the Parliamentarians to attend the 147th Assembly of the World Parliamentary Union in October in Luanda.

The presence of guests at this event, she said, will serve to deepen the political debate on the progress and main difficulties of contemporary parliamentary system and its numerous challenges, in particular, the promotion and preservation of peace and its impact on the lives of populations around the world.

Various speakers are expected to address this solemn session. They include leaders of parliaments from Brazil, Chile, Uruguay and Zimbabwe.

There were also speeches delivered by Edite Estrela, as vice speaker of the Portuguese parliament, and Duarte Pacheco, speaker of the Inter-parliamentary Union.

As part of her presence in Portugal, Carolina Cerqueira participated, for two days, in various activities included in the programme of commemorations of the International Day of Parliamentarism.

The meeting was attended by the Angola to Portugal, Maria de Jesus Ferreira, and a group of MPs from parties with seats in the Angolan Parliament

Source: Angola Press News Agency (APNA)

June 30, 2023

Fuel prices remain unchanged for July

The Ministry of Mines and Energy has announced that fuel prices will remain unchanged for the month of July.

The ministry in a media release on Thursday said the price of petrol in Walvis Bay will remain at N.dollars 19.78 per litre, while diesel 50 parts-per-million (ppm) will remain N.dollars 19.05 per litre and diesel 10ppm, at N.dollars 19.25 per litre.

According to the media release, the latest calculations by the ministry indicate that the average price of unleaded petrol 95 over June 2023 was US.dollars 95.40 per barrel, compared to US.dollars 92.32 per barrel at the end of May 2023, depicting a slight increase over the review period.

Additionally, the average price of diesel 50ppm over the same period was US.dollars 89 per barrel, compared to US.dollars 85.77 per barrel at the end of May 2023, an increase of about US.dollars 4 per barrel over the review period.

“Furthermore, the exchange rate figures for the period 01 to 26 June 2023 indicate that the Namibian Dollar has appreciated against the US Dollar at N.dollars 18.72, compared to N. dollars 19.03 per US. dollars the previous month,” it said.

After entering the above input factors into the fuel pricing model, the ministry thus recorded an under-recovery on petrol and over-recoveries on both diesel products.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency

June 30, 2023

NamRA promotes trade efficiency and security through AEO programme

The Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRA) is continuously working towards streamlining and enhancing trade processes, ensuring efficiency, security, and compliance in the global supply chain.

The Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) Programme is one of the ways in which the agency aims to enhance trade processes, serving as a vital instrument in achieving these objectives. The AEO Compliance Programme is voluntary and is aimed at rewarding compliant traders who meet specified criteria, such as an appropriate record of compliance with customs and other related laws and regulations, among others.

NamRA Head of Customs and Excise Willbroad Poniso, while addressing traders and companies at an awareness session on the AEO Programme in Walvis Bay on Friday, emphasised the importance of companies becoming AEOs. He also spoke of its immense potential for transforming the landscape of trade facilitation within Namibian borders, as it is part of the broader AEO Programme of the World Customs Organisation (WCO).

“NamRA acknowledges the pivotal role that traders play in our economy, and we are fully committed to supporting your growth and success. Becoming an AEO can gain companies a competitive edge, expedite your customs clearance processes, reduce costs, enhance security, and strengthen your relationships with trading partners across the globe,” he added.

The awareness session was aimed at creating awareness and providing valuable insights into the programme, its benefits, and the indispensable role it plays in fostering international trade.

NamRA AEO Coordinator Fransina Shigwedha noted that the programme, which is voluntary, is important in Namibia as it is a flagship for trade facilitation, improving efficiency as NamRA wants to assist traders in meeting their clients in the fastest way possible.

“The programme also offers mutual recognition which enables a trader to enter agreements with third parties; it can be China, the European Union or SACU, where our traders will be recognised and will receive the same benefits from those trading partners,” she expressed.

The agency officials highlighted the significance of compliance with customs and tax laws, adding that it is crucial that every company ensures that their records are in accordance with regulations during the assessment process, enabling them to qualify for accreditation.

Namib Mills is currently the only company that is accredited as an AEO in Namibia.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency

June 30, 2023

Windhoek-Okahandja road to be completed in May 2024

The Roads Authority Chief Executive Officer, Conrad Lutombi, said the Windhoek-Okahandja road project, which has so far amounted to N.dollars 2 billion, will be completed by May 2024.

Lutombi said this during a media briefing on the progress of the project on Thursday, where he alluded to the number of challenges experienced during the construction of the roads.

“This was a big project that required optimal funding. We are happy that in this financial year we received adequate funding. The total for the Windhoek-Okahandja road was N.dollars 2 billion. As for materials, the contractors are hauling material from long distances, with some materials coming from as far as Karibib,” Lutombi said.

Lutombi added that this is a Harambee road project, and all finances have come from the Namibian Government. As for the contractors, this is a CMC-Otesa joint venture.

Speaking on the number of freeways constructed so far, Lutombi said there are the Windhoek-Okahandja, Windhoek-Hosea Kutako, and Walvis Bay-Swakopmund roads, and the Roads Authority also plans to construct a freeway from Windhoek to Rehoboth.

As for the other challenges experienced, the CEO said they had to look at where the communities would resettle and negotiate with the municipality to relocate these people, as well as deviate the road as a result.

“By the end of August, we plan to open the section of the road from Omakunde interchange to Gross Barmen interchange so that people can start enjoying these roads,” the CEO said.

Lily Brandt, Chairperson of the Roads Authority Board of Directors, said that the project is moving within the established timeline, especially since it was postponed during the COVID-19 pandemic, adding that the bridges have been built to a very high standard.

“This particular road is one of the most important roads that we have undertaken to build within the last five years, and it’s important for us to finalise it at least by May next year. It will improve the traffic between the coast, the northern regions, and Windhoek. And also improve the lives of people as a result,” Brandt said.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency